Mythbusting the "no steel insert" polymer Kahr frame rails

[Cappy]

Written by "nebodaky" on GlockTalk.com

Let's put this "polymer only rail" Kahr myth to bed once and for all... I wish I could sticky this post since there's so much confusion/mis-information about the polymer Kahrs on these here internets.

I love my Glocks and they work great, but, for reference, there's actually more frame mounted steel rail bearing surface in the smallest poly Kahr than in any current production Glock.

From the trigger forward, there are complete steel rails on each side that ride in the cut outs on either side of the front of the slide. There are also rear steel rails/inserts on either side at the back of the frame. The polymer "rails" in between serve no structural purpose other than making the slide easier to guide back on during reassembly. In fact, when I asked Kahr about this, they said those poly "rails" could be completely cut out and would not affect function in any way.

Sorry for the less than stellar photos (of a PM9), but here goes...

Front of frame...notice the two steel rail inserts running from the trigger area forward. The three coiled spring in the center is the trigger return spring around the trigger axis.

http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b103/AlbertD/DSC02019edited.jpg (http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b103/AlbertD/DSC02019edited.jpg)

Rear of frame...notice the steel rails on either side. The "long" steel piece on the left is the ejector.

http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b103/AlbertD/DSC02020-1.jpg (http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b103/AlbertD/DSC02020-1.jpg)

Close up of PM9 frame rail with slide fully retracted (barrel/recoil spring assembly removed).

http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b103/AlbertD/DSC02024.jpg (http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b103/AlbertD/DSC02024.jpg)

Top view of frame with front and rear steel rails. Notice the yellow circled areas and how there's more steel rail/slide engagement surface area than the slide/frame contact on a Glock. The red circled areas are the polymer "rails" that do NOT bear any load from the slide. Again, they're only there to guide the slide back on after field stripping and could be completely cut away and not affect function at all.

http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b103/AlbertD/DSC02022edited-1.jpg (http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b103/AlbertD/DSC02022edited-1.jpg)

[johnh]

Great post and informative! The rumor mill around this industry is unrivaled. I have spent quite a bit of time debunking similar issues on one of my other forums.

John

[WMD]

Interesting stuff! Did you know the 2 rails on the front of the gun are really all part of one insert that is covered in polymer? That is what I was told by Kahr. In other words, they are not 2 seperate pieces of steel but is actually one large piece.

[P40]

Interesting stuff! Did you know the 2 rails on the front of the gun are really all part of one insert that is covered in polymer? That is what I was told by Kahr. In other words, they are not 2 seperate pieces of steel but is actually one large piece.

JohnH, can you verify this is true? (not sure if you are a Kahr employee or what)

I have a P40 and directly above the serial number on the inside poly you can see a metal piece just as wide as the serial number plate. I have wondered if that was going to crack eventually but if that is metal underneath, (which I have serious doubts) then that would be comforting to know.

[kpm9]

Great post and I like glocks also. Both pistols have their merits.
The robustness of my PM9 and PM45 are testament to me of the great work Kahr does.

Kahr makes the best single stack, DAO self-defense pistols IMO.